Ariana Grande Doesn't Need a Partner to Feel Complete

"I want this to feel like a slumber party,” Ariana Grande says, offering me a bowl of popcorn. We’re in the Beverly Hills studio where she’s been working on her fourth studio album, and before our faux sleepover gets under way, she introduces me to her small entourage, which includes a shy, cap- clad rapper in the corner. “This is Malcolm,” she says, her eyes lighting up. You might know him by his stage name, Mac Miller. He’s a longtime friend and featured artist on her first hit single “The Way,” and he and Ariana recently upgraded their relationship from platonic to official. But while they’ve become practically inseparable, even boyfriends can’t crash this chat session.

“We’re not allowed to have an audience, right?” she asks, sending Mac and her friends out of the room as we curl up on the couch for hours of candid conversation. “It’s supposed to be just us.”

Turns out, a party of two is plenty when you have as much to talk about as Ariana does. She’s built a career any artist would envy: Her third album, Dangerous Woman, was a monster smash that spawned several hit singles, including the delightfully racy “Side to Side.” (She’s just kicked off her massive world tour in connection with the album.)

The 23-year-old also found time for an acclaimed Saturday Night Live hosting stint—that J. Law impression!—and gave it her all playing nerdy Penny in NBC’s production of Hairspray Live!, a project so dear to her heart that she’s currently rocking an oversize hoodie that reads Harvey, given to her by the show’s star Harvey Fierstein. She also recorded the theme song to Disney’s live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, in theaters March 17. NBD.

It’s important to the former Nickelodeon start to prove that there’s more to her than just being a ponytailed pop icon. “A lot of times, women are labeled as a bitch or a diva for having a vision and being strong and using their voice, and it’s just not the case,” she says. “You can be strong and be friendly. [We] don’t have to be just one thing, you know? Women can love to read a book and have sex.” For proof, she points to a painting of a female samurai on the wall. The lady warrior is rocking a familiar high pony and brandishing a sword— clearly, she exemplifies Ariana’s fierce brand of femininity.

It’s hard to believe you’re on your third world tour. How are you feeling about it?

It’s very exciting! “Dangerous Woman” is one of my favorite songs. I had to fight for it to be the first single. I said, “This will fulfill me. This is what I want to say right now. I’m com- ing into my own, I’m trusting myself.” It was kind of a personal anthem saying that girls can do whatever they want.

I’ve taken baby steps in expressing my sexuality in my imagery. I’m all the way there now, but I’m also 23, you know? I’m still figuring everything out, but it’s tight to be at a point where I’m having fun with it, and I don’t think that makes me any less of a role model. I think that it makes me honest!

Do you think sexual confidence is crucial to being successful in your career?

There’s scrutiny that comes with it, but I’m proud of myself for embracing it in my art and for keeping that cute shot of my booty in the “Dangerous Woman” video! There was a moment when we were editing when my director, Nev, was like, “You’re going to be sad one day if we don’t keep this in.” I was like, “Nev, when I am 95, that is going to be framed over my fire- place.” I’m not defined by it. I’m still a giving, loving person— that’s not lessened by the fact that I showed my booty in a music video. I’m a good person—and I have a cute booty. It’s a horrible situation that we’re dealing with right now as women. I feel bad for girls who go to school with a short skirt and are told that they’re asking for it just because they like [to show] their legs.

Switching subjects: You’ve had some high-profile boyfriends; now you’re with Mac. What’s the biggest difference between single Ariana and relationship Ariana?

Not much. I’ve never looked at love as something that I need to complete me. I would like to be complete on my own first and fall in love with somebody who is also complete. You can still celebrate and be totally obsessed with each other, but I want to feel a hundred percent myself so that I can love that person better.

Have you had any life-changing lessons from past relationships?

I always put everyone’s feelings before mine. It can be taxing emotionally and drain the shit out of me. I’ve learned how to balance that out and be a loving partner but also nourish myself. A lot of people for- get about the whole self-love thing when they’re in love, and both are imperative.

You and Mac have known each other for a while, right?

I met him when I was 19. We have loved and adored and respected each other since the beginning, since before we even met, just because we were fans of each other’s talent. We weren’t ready at all, though, to be together. It’s just timing. We both needed to experience some things, but the love has been there the whole time. There were times over the years when he would call me and hear that I was stressed or overwhelmed or not doing well, and he would call my mom. There were also times when he was really broken and sad—this was years ago—and I would come take care of him, because we love each other as best friends first and foremost.

So how did you know it was the right time?

The universe, man. She was belting in our ears.

Did everybody else know you guys were meant to be together before you did?

Oh, yeah. Our families have known the entire time. He saw a [magazine] cover of mine four or five Thanksgivings ago and told his mom, “She’s The One.” How cute is that? That was before we were even talking.

Let’s talk about SNL. You totally crushed it!

SNL was the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life. I love being able to make fun of myself. I love being able to put on a different mask. I love singing, of course, but I think that making people laugh and feel like they don’t have to take everything so seriously is even more fulfilling to me.

How did the Jennifer Lawrence sketch happen?

They were like, “Can you do a J.Law?” I was like, “I have no idea. I could try.” I didn’t know if I could! That was my first time trying it. I think she liked it though— that’s what I heard.

There must be less pressure working with an ensemble, like SNL or Hairspray, as opposed to all eyes on you.

It’s an escape—a mental vacation from a job that is sometimes so incredibly self-centered, if that makes sense. I love making music, but it’s a different type of fulfillment when you’re working on telling a story with a hundred other people and you’re a part of the big picture. I started on Broadway. And before that, I was waiting outside the Jersey Boys stage door with a Playbill and a Sharpie, begging for autographs.

A lot of artists branch out and start doing other things like fashion lines, fragrance.... Would you consider yourself a businesswoman?

I didn’t care about the business part for a very long time. I was just burying myself in the music and being like, “Cool, wake me up when I have to sing.” Not until the past two years did I start to have any sort of business sensibility. Now I can confidently say that I run my show entirely from top to bottom.

That’s a lot—why is being the boss so important to you?

I realized how not okay I am with put- ting everything in someone else’s hands, because if I’m going to make art then I should care about how the art is going to be handled and how it’s going to be represented. I have to think about everything, and I didn’t realize it’s a full-time job. Now, I’m very much in charge, and it feels amazing.

Eric Ray Davidson/ Cosmopolitan

Shoutouts To Strong Women

Ariana is all about encouraging female empowerment.

On Her Mother“My mom owns a company that designs and manufactures marine communication equipment. Talk about a woman in power! I’ve learned about the double standards women face from watching her. She’s my biggest supporter, but if I was like, ‘I’m done,’ she’d say, ‘Okay, let’s teach you how to be an engineer.’”

On Nicki Minaj

“Literally, the things I would do for Nicki Minaj! I adore her as an artist but even more so as a person. She’s very real. I could tell her about anything and she’d be ready to listen.”

On Madonna

“I have the utmost respect for that woman. I love her with every ounce of my being, and not just because of her ability to outlast the blatant bullying and bullshit that she’s had to put up with or because I’m obsessed with her entire discography. I’m so inspired by her bravery and her strength. I can look at her and not be scared to be strong."

Styling by fashion director Aya Kanai.

This article was originally published as "We're So Into Ariana" in the April 2017 issue of Cosmopolitan. Pick up your issue on news stands March 7 or click here to subscribe to the digital edition.

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